Drug & Firearm Squad detectives have charged two people in relation to the seizure of approximately 13kg of Methylamphetamine and nearly $4 million cash in September 2020.
On Monday 21 September 2020 detectives from the Drug & Firearm Squad stopped a truck on Great Eastern Highway, near Sawyers Valley. The truck, which had entered Western Australia two days earlier, was searched and it will be alleged $3.88m million cash was located in two plastic tubs. The truck driver, a 58-year-old man from New South Wales, was arrested.
As part of the same investigation a search warrant was subsequently executed at a residence in Lord Street, Lockridge. Detectives searched a Holden Commodore ute which was parked at the residence and it will be alleged two bags containing a total of 13 packages, each containing approximately 1kg of Methylamphetamine, were located. A 29-year-old man from Lockridge was arrested.
A 58-year-old man from Charlestown, New South Wales, has been charged with ‘Laundering Property/Money from Proceeds of Major Offence’ He was refused bail and appeared in the Midland Magistrates Court on Tuesday 22 September 2020 and is next due to appear in the same court today, Tuesday 13 October 2020.
A 29-year-old man from Lockridge has been charged with ‘Possessed a trafficable quantity of methylamphetamine with intent to sell or supply it to another’. He was refused bail and appeared in the Perth Magistrates court on Tuesday 22 September 2020 and is next due to appear in the same court tomorrow, Wednesday 14 October 2020.
Three other men, a 26-year-old man and two 27-year-old men, were arrested during the course of the investigation and have been charged with separate drug offences.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Allan Adams from State Crime Command said the seizure is yet another example of the great work being done by detectives from the Serious and Organised Crime Division.
“The seizure represents the removal of 130,000 hits of Meth from our streets, and is a significant win for our community. Illicit drugs, particularly Meth, cause great harm to our community, to our families, and to the health of so many vulnerable members of our community.
“In this instance we have not only seized the drugs, we have seized a record $3.88 million cash. That is cash that would have made its way back to more senior members of a Serious & Organised Crime Group and would have been used to purchase greater quantities of illicit drugs and repeat the community harm cycle”.
“Our investigation into the broader criminal network is continuing in partnership with law enforcement and intelligence agencies across Australia. There is clearly someone who was expecting to receive the cash, and given the amount of drugs seized it is fair to suggest there was a further distribution network ready and waiting to take delivery.”
Anyone with information regarding the manufacture or distribution of illicit drugs is urged to report the information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au. Callers can remain anonymous.
/Public Release. View in full here.
